Milford Sound is 288km from Queenstown (4 hours 15 minutes) and 121km from Te Anau (2 hours 15 minutes). Choosing to drive to Milford Sound by car in your own time can be a rewarding experience, but there are risks involved. It’s important to plan your drive to Milford Sound carefully.
Can you drive to Milford Sound yet?
Transit New Zealand looks after the Milford Road which provides the only road access to Milford Sound. It is therefore essential for Transit to keep this road safe and open all year round. In winter season (May to September) snow, ice and risk of avalanches make safe driving critical.
Is Milford Sound worth the drive?
Regarding concerns about time, you have to realize that although the drive to Milford Sound is a lengthy one, it is also an extremely scenic drive. Really, the drive out to Milford Sound is half the appeal. If you have a rental car, there are many opportunities to stop along the way and you definitely should.
Is Milford Sound New Zealand accessible by road?
The road to Milford Sound consists of one road, highway 94. As it curves around mountains, valleys, and stunning scenery, it takes you to a completely new world. The day visitor can make numerous stops along the only road that cuts through the mountains and valleys in the untouched Fiordland landscapes.
Is it safe to drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound in winter?
The journey time from Queenstown to Milford Sound by car is about 3 hours and 42 minutes. One important thing to note about driving in winter is that access to Milford Sound is sometimes closed off. This is due to heavy snowfall, ice and avalanches which can make the winding alpine highway very dangerous.
Can you drive campervan to Milford Sound?
Want to self drive to Milford Sound along one of the world’s most scenic routes? You can get there in a car or campervan – but make sure you read our guide on driving to Milford Sound to make sure you’ve planned well and avoided some common mistakes.
Can you stay at Doubtful Sound?
There is no permanent settlement in Doubtful Sound. You can take day or overnight tours, as well as kayaking trips. Scenic flights can be taken from Te Anau, Manapouri or Queenstown.
Can you drive from Te Anau to Doubtful Sound?
If you are travelling from Queenstown or Te Anau to Doubtful Sound, the farthest you’ll be able to drive in your vehicle is to Manapouri. You can choose to self-drive to Manapouri, purchase a ticket on a coach, or even fly in a scenic flight to here.
Is it worth going to Doubtful Sound?
Doubtful Sound is truly a place that is good year round and I’d even argue that it’s worth seeing in all weather so no matter if you get sun or rain on your trip, you’ll just have to come back to see it again!
How long is Doubtful Sound cruise?
three hour cruise
Doubtful Sound’s beauty will take your breath away as you experience its wilderness on this three hour cruise. Once you arrive in Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound, you will board our spacious, purpose built catamaran Patea Explorer.
Can you drive Wilmot Pass?
This means there is no road which you can drive yourself. So how do you get there? The first drive is to the Manapouri visitor centre, you then board a boat crossing Lake Manapouri to West Arm, then a bus ride over the Wilmot Pass down into Deep Cove. Deep Cove is the harbour where all boats depart and return.
What do you wear for Doubtful Sound?
Weather is variable. Inside it is warm but to enjoy the outside Take a good raincoat, a wind breaker, swimwear. I also took my long johns and long sleeved merino top to go kayaking in. Be prepared for all weather – so sunhat and glasses, along with warm hat and gloves!
Can you take your own boat to Milford Sound?
Yes, it is fine for you to bring your boat down to Milford Sound. There are no restrictions on taking boats into that area and they do not have to be checked. Lots of people go there and visit quite a few of the Sounds.
Can you take your own boat to Doubtful Sound?
Boat access
To access Doubtful Sound, trailer boats can be barged across Lake Manapouri to West Arm and driven over the Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound (contact Real Journeys for barge booking). There is a charge for using the Wilmot Pass Road (contact Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre for details).
Can you swim at Milford Sound?
Look out for the seals, dolphins, and penguins swimming in the waters below. The adventure continues at the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory where you can experience the amazing world beneath the surface. Descend 10 metres underwater into a large viewing area where windows open your eyes to this underwater haven.
Can I fish in Milford Sound?
The inky depths of Milford Sound are home to a wide variety of fish. Tarakihi and hapuka (also known as grouper) can be found year-round, while you may also find kingfish, tuna and broadbill – depending on your equipment.
How many crayfish are you allowed NZ?
The recreational bag limit of six crayfish per person will be changed before October, said Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash. Crayfish are “ecologically extinct” in the Hauraki Gulf. Crayfish catch limits have also been reduced in Otago, but have increased in Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, and the Southern fisheries area.
Can you fish in Doubtful Sound?
Check the location and the rule. Pendulo Reach (Doubtful Sound) – use of rock lobster pots and holding pots prohibited. Doubtful, Thompson, and Bradshaw Sounds internal waters – daily limit of 1 blue cod per fisher (with no accumulation).
Can you fillet fish at sea NZ?
Yes you can fillet at sea,but you must be able to prove it was a legal size.So only fillet say 30cm snaps nothing near the minimin size. If you are over nighting clearly date the bags ! You must prove to the fishery officer that the fish you have filleted is of a legal size.
What is the snapper limit in New Zealand?
Table 2 – additional to combined bag
| Finfish species | Min fish length (cm) | Max daily limit (per fisher) |
|---|---|---|
| Grey Mullet | – | 30 |
| Pilchard | – | – |
| Snapper* | 27 | 10 |
| Snapper (SNA1)* | 30 | 7 |
How many Kina are you allowed?
The daily limit of kina is 50 per person per day.
Can you eat Stingray NZ?
Stingrays are not usually eaten in New Zealand although they are popular in other parts of the world.
Can an eagle ray sting you?
They have a barbed tip and recurved lateral teeth along with a forked root. These venomous spines can deliver a nasty sting when used in defense against potential threats. Similar species sharing distribution ranges with the spotted eagle ray include the southern eagle ray (Myliobatis goodei) and the bullnose ray (M.
Can you eat an eagle ray?
There are no target fisheries for the spotted eagle ray, but it is often eaten after being caught unintentionally as bycatch. There have been several reported incidents of spotted eagle rays leaping out of the water onto boats and landing on people.
How lethal is a stingray?
Fatal stingray attacks on humans are exceedingly rare. Only two have been reported in Australian waters since 1945. Both victims were stung in the chest, like Irwin. Worldwide, death by stingray is similarly rare, with only one or two fatal attacks reported each year.
Does it hurt a stingray to remove its barb?
In that case, the potential for complications is so great that only a doctor should attempt removal. Because barbs are serrated, they tear at flesh when removed, and it’s unlikely that pulling them out will lower exposure to any venom.
What type of ray killed Steve?
short-tail stingray
Steve was killed by a short-tail stingray. Cameraman Justin Lyons recalled seeing the stingray landing ‘hundreds of strikes’ in seconds. Steve incurred a huge gash across his chest, his heart pierced by the stingray’s barb.